Forklifts are utilized to lift, engage and transport palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 basic kinds of forklifts: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the rear of the equipment with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in many cases have a seat or protected cab in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different kind which are motorized and consist of features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts comprise safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, important specifications to take into consideration comprise lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for lift trucks include their tire and type of fuel.
Different fuel options for lift trucks consist of: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand offer excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts include electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These models offer extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Furthermore, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV lift trucks, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.
Finally, Class VII forklifts are the ideal option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII forklifts include all personnel carriers and burden carriers.